Patent Grant
8151374
This application claims priority of International (PCT) Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US07/74631, filed Jul. 27, 2007, by David W. Lofland and Kendra A Wilcox, for A SKI, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY OR TACTICAL GOGGLE PROTECTIVE COVERING, which in turn claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/820,593, filed Jul. 27, 2006, by David W. Lofland and Kendra A. Wilcox, for A SKI GOGGLE PROTECTIVE COVER. This application is incorporated herein by reference.
Ski goggle and other types of goggle devices generally have a lens for eye protection. As typically designed, the goggle is worn about the head of a skier, snowboarder, snowmobile or motorcycle operator, or other outdoor participant.
The goggle may be stored when not in use. Some forms of storage subject the lens of the goggle to potential damage, including scratching. This is typically the case when the goggle is worn on a protective helmet. In between use, the helmet may be cast about such that the lens is subjected to damaging contact. For example, lenses may become scarred when goggles remain on a helmet between uses.
Other types of storage, such as an equipment bag, may also allow damage to the lens of the goggle.
Some types of prior art devices may be relatively bulky, and may not be conducive to carrying in a pocket for intermittent use. Other types of prior art devices may be configured for carrying the goggles, including the strap, within a pocket. This type of configuration requires removal from a helmet.
Accordingly, the prior art devices do not provide adequate protection for the lens of the goggle without significant drawbacks.
In an embodiment, there is provided a protective cover for a lens of a ski goggle, the protective cover comprising a front panel defining a top boundary and a bottom boundary in opposition to one another, the top boundary and the bottom boundary shaped to substantially contour to portions of the ski goggle, and the front panel forming a right lateral edge and a left lateral edge in opposition to one another, a first portion extending from the top boundary of the front panel to a first end, a first connector mechanism adjacent the first end, and the first portion forming a right lateral edge and a left lateral edge in opposition to one another, a second portion extending from the bottom boundary of the front panel to a second end, a second connector mechanism adjacent the second end, and the second portion forming a right lateral edge and a left lateral edge in opposition to one another, wherein the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are configured to selectively attach the first portion and the second portion to one another so as to secure the front panel onto the lens of the ski goggle, wherein the right lateral edge of the front panel, the right lateral edge of the first portion, and the right lateral edge of the second portion provide an opening sized to allow a strap of the ski goggle to extend away from the right lateral edge of the front panel when the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are attached together, and wherein the left lateral edge of the front panel, the left lateral edge of the first portion, and the left lateral edge of the second portion provide an opening sized to allow a strap to extend away from the left lateral edge of the front panel when the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are attached together.
In another embodiment, there is provided a protective cover for a lens of a goggle, the protective cover comprising a front panel shaped to substantially contour to portions of the goggle, a first portion extending from the front panel to a first end, and a first connector mechanism adjacent the first end, and a second portion extending from the front panel to a second end, a second connector mechanism adjacent the second end, the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism selectively attaching to one another so as to secure the front panel onto the lens of the goggle, and the front panel, the first portion, and the second portion providing openings in opposition to one another when the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are attached together, wherein each of the openings are sized to allow a strap of the goggle to extend away from the front panel.
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a method of protecting a lens of a ski goggle, the method comprising positioning a front panel of a protective cover over an outside portion of the lens of the ski goggle, positioning a first portion extending from the front panel over one portion of the ski goggle toward an inside portion of the lens, positioning a second portion extending from the front panel over another portion of the ski goggle toward the inside portion of the lens, and attaching the first portion and the second portion to one another so as to secure the front panel onto the lens of the ski goggle.
Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:
First portion 30 may extend from front panel 25 to a first end 40. A first connector mechanism 45 may be disposed adjacent to first end 40. Second portion 45 may extend from front panel 25 to a second end 50. A second connector mechanism 55 may be disposed adjacent second end 50. First connector mechanism 45 and second connector mechanism 55 may selectively attach to one another. This secures front panel 25 onto lens 15 of goggle 20. Front panel 25, first portion 30, and second portion 35 provide openings 60, 65 in opposition to one another when first connector mechanism 45 and second connector mechanism 55 are attached together. Each of openings 60, 65 may be sized to allow a strap 70 of goggle 20 to extend away from front panel 25.
Protective cover 10 may be used to cover various types of goggles. In one embodiment, front panel 25, first portion 30, and second portion 35 may be configured to cover a ski goggle. In other embodiments, cover 10 may be configured to cover snowmobile goggles, motorcycle goggles, tactical, or other types of goggles. Protective cover 10 may be used with goggle 20 attached to a helmet or separate from a helmet. As best illustrated in
As illustrated in
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Referring still to
In an embodiment, front panel 25, first portion 30, and second portion 35 may include individual fabric panels sewn together. For example, each of the fabric panels may include one or more sections of polyester fleece, polyester micro-fiber, polyester fleece with nylon shell material, polyester micro-fiber with nylon shell material, and tactical fabrics as specified by the FBI, military, SWAT teams, etc. Protective cover 10 may be made of one or more materials, such as polar fleece, with water-resistant and dirt-repelling properties.
As shown in
In an embodiment, first connector mechanism 45 of first portion 30 may include a first set of magnets (referred to as magnets 45.) Second connector mechanism 55 of second portion 35 may include a second set of magnets (referred to as magnets 55.) First set of magnets 45 may be disposed in a horizontal margin 130 adjacent to first end 40. Second set of magnets 55 may be disposed in a horizontal margin 135 adjacent to second end 50. With magnets 45 and magnets 55, protective cover 10 may “snap” around a pair of goggles so as to protect lens 15 from scratching as well as prevent fogging.
In an embodiment, first connector mechanism 45 of first portion 30 may include hook-and-loop fasteners (which may include Velcro brand hook-and-loop fasteners, and are referred to as hook-and-loop fasteners 45.) Second connector mechanism 55 of second portion 35 may include hook-and-loop fasteners (which may include Velcro brand hook-and-loop fasteners, and are referred to as hook-and-loop fasteners 55.) Hook-and-loop fasteners 45 may be disposed in a horizontal margin 130 adjacent to first end 40. Hook-and-loop fasteners 55 may be disposed in a horizontal margin 135 adjacent to second end 50. With hook-and-loop fasteners 45 and hook-and-loop fasteners 55, protective cover 10 may protect lens 15 from scratching as well as prevent fogging.
The protective cover has many advantages. These advantages include, but are not limited to, protecting goggles from scratching and fogging. The protective cover works both on and off a helmet. In an embodiment, the cover is water resistant and snow repellent. It may be constructed as a polar fleece that wraps around the goggle quickly and securely with magnetic snaps. Rubber pads may be provided to keep the goggles from sliding off a helmet. In an embodiment, a single protective cover may be designed to fit all sized goggles, kids to adults. The protective cover keeps the goggle dry, and vision fog free. Furthermore, the lining may be used to clean the lens of the goggle.
Referring now to
The steps of positioning 1105 the front panel, positioning 1110 the first portion, positioning 1115 the second portion, and attaching 1120 the first portion and second portion, may occur subsequent to placing 1125 a strap of the ski goggle onto a helmet and while the strap of the ski goggle is attached to the helmet. As the protective cover may be formed without a pouch or pocket, it easily conforms to a goggle positioned on a helmet. When the goggles need to be used, the lenses may be accessed by detaching 1130 the first portion and the second portion from one another. This may be followed by removing 1135 the front panel of the protective cover from the lens. This allows a user to see through the lens.
When using a helmet as discussed above, the steps of detaching 1130 the first portion and the second portion from one another, and removing 1135 the first panel of the protective cover from the lens, may occur subsequent to placing a strap 1125 of the ski goggle onto a helmet and while the strap of the ski goggle is attached to the helmet.
In one embodiment, the steps of positioning 1110 the first portion and positioning 1115 the second portion may occur simultaneously with one another, or may occur in a serial fashion with either step occurring prior to the other one.
The steps of positioning 1110 first portion, positioning 1115 second portion, and attaching 1120 the first portion and second portion include forming 1240 a continuous sleeve to surround the lens while leaving uncovered a strap of the goggle frame and frame portions between the lens and the strap.
Referring now to
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090026095 A1 | Jan 2009 | US |
